The state legislature’s Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards has voted unanimously against considering an ethics complaint against North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco for alleged harassment filed by former North Bergen Recreation Department Supervisor Lydia Coleman. The committee said the complaint was not filed within the two year statute of limitations.

Coleman worked for the township from 1995 to 2005. Coleman claimed that her work was limited after having received harassing voice messages, allegedly from Sacco. In 2011, Coleman claimed she waited so long to file the complaint because she was scared of Sacco’s political power.

“We are very happy that the committee voted unanimously to dismiss these false and ridiculous charges,” said Phil Swibinski, township spokesperson. “Senator Sacco has an unblemished record of public service for over 40 years and it is a shame to see his name be dragged through the mud like this, but we are glad the committee correctly decided to dismiss this matter.”

North Bergen Planning Board vote for controversial development is postponed

The North Bergen Planning Board held a meeting on March 5 in consideration of Riverview, a River Road development located at 8200-8516 of more than 250 residential units in three, nine-story buildings. Residents and critics have opposed the development because they claim it would block views of the Hudson River, the Manhattan skyline while causing traffic issues.

According to NJ.com, the March 5 meeting resulted in the Planning Board deciding to conduct an additional study. A special meeting to continue the application is scheduled for Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at North Bergen’s Town Hall located at 4233 Kennedy Blvd.

New Jersey Meadowlands Commission schedules ‘Wolf Visions’

“Wolf Visions,” which is open to all ages on Sunday, March 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., will feature a live wolf. Vincent Reo of the Wolf Visions education program will dispel myths and educate the public about the importance of wolves along with their role in sustaining a balanced ecosystem.

After Reo’s slideshow, guests will meet a kind wolf. Admission is $5 per person and $4 for MEC members. The event will be located at Meadowlands Environment Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst.

For more information call (201) 460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.

North Bergen Free Public Library presents events and reading incentive

Comedian Alonzo Bodden, winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and a guest on “The Tonight Show,” will perform on Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m. in the lower-level theater of the North Bergen Free Public Library. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The library is located on 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.

Book Club will meet twice on Wednesday, March 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. for “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. The second Book Club meeting will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for “Tigers in Red Weather” by Liza Klaussmann.

Also, Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant has joined with The North Bergen Free Public Library’s Reading Incentive Program. The restaurant is located at 7407 Broadway and will give away a free slice of cheese pizza to any child once 10 books are checked out. Vouchers can be obtained in the Children’s Department of the library. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.

Our Lady of Fatima Knights of Columbus Round Table blood drive

Our Lady of Fatima Knights of Columbus Round Table will be holding a blood drive Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Our Lady of Fatima Gorman Hall. The location will be 8016 Kennedy Blvd. According to Our Lady of Fatima, blood supplies are at critical levels therefore those ages 17 and older in good health should consider giving the gift of life. Two forms of identification are required. To schedule a time contact Knight Javier at (201) 662-7103 or Neal at (201) 223-7967.

Jersey City church to hold local support group

St. John’s Lutheran Church will be the host site for a new support group for individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life’s challenging times. If you’re facing a major illness or stressful life change, you don’t have to go it alone. A support group can help. This will be a non-professional self help group.

This group will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 155 North St., Jersey City, every Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Coffee and tea will be available. Enter through back door of the church in the parking lot on Summit Avenue.

Support groups bring together people facing similar issues, whether that’s illness, relationship problems or major life changes. Members of support groups often share experiences and advice. It can be helpful just getting to talk with other people who are in the same boat. A support group can help you cope better and feel less isolated as you make connections with others facing similar challenges. Many are offered support by family and friends, but you may find it helpful to turn to others outside your immediate circle. We all need a caring shoulder sometimes, or a place where we can cry, laugh, hug, or pray.

For any other info, call Rose Davis (201) 214-5300 or email her at rosednj25@aim.com.

Please call if there is bad weather to make sure that night’s meeting has not been cancelled.

State Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-32nd), who serves as the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, is taking an active role in making sure the upcoming state Department of Transportation Pulaski Skyway construction plan minimizes disruption to the daily lives of Hudson County residents and commuters.

Sacco recently dispatched a staff member to attend a meeting organized by Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise with DOT officials and local elected leaders to monitor the situation and relay constituent concerns.

“The Pulaski Skyway is a vital piece of our region’s transportation infrastructure and it is clearly in desperate need of repair,” said Sacco. “However, this work must be done in a way that minimizes disruptions to peoples’ daily lives, especially here in Hudson County.”

State DOT officials stressed at the meeting that final traffic mitigation plans are still being developed and the agency will be using the next year to analyze all options and take input from both elected officials and local residents, Sacco said.

The project is currently scheduled to start in 2014 and will involve a two-year closure of an important approach road to the Holland Tunnel, potentially disrupting thousands of commuters’ routines and causing additional traffic on local streets.

“It is important for elected officials and the public to have a voice in the DOT’s decision-making process and I thank the county executive for organizing this meeting and for his leadership on the issue,” said Sacco. “I have directed my staff to continue working with the DOT to ensure that all options are considered and that residents’ concerns are heard. This project will be a bitter pill to swallow, but it is clearly necessary and I will continue to advocate that it is done in the least disruptive possible way.”

The Nicholas Sacco Foundation will provide a Certified Public Accountant to give seniors and disabled residents of North Bergen free tax preparation services until April 15. You must be a North Bergen resident 55 years or older or in possession of proof of disability with a yearly income below $55,000 to qualify for this service. This service will be provided by appointment only.

For an appointment call (201) 364-9022. Appointments will be provided on Wednesdays between 12 to 5 p.m. at Lawlor Tower, 6121-6131 Grand Ave., and at the North Bergen Library on Tuesdays between 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested must bring proof of identification, Social Security card, tax documents for 2012 and a copy of your 2011 tax return.

Guttenberg announces senior bus schedule

Seniors can take advantage of the town’s free bus service to visit various shopping locations from Monday through Friday. Guttenberg seniors can be picked up at 69th and Broadway; 68th and Boulevard East, 7005 Boulevard East, 7000 Boulevard East; 69th and Park Avenue; along with all of 68th or 70th Westbound to Bergenline Avenue.

For further information contact (201) 868-2315 ext. 152 or Tony, the bus driver, at (201) 424-9494.

Senior trips are sponsored by Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council.

Palisades Medical Center runs maternity classes

Palisades Medical Center offers maternity instruction to expectant mothers. The childbirth classes cost $125 per couple if delivering at PMC; $150 if delivering elsewhere. Classes include understanding the labor process, breathing and relaxation techniques to work with your body, the role of the support person, options for pain medications and medical interventions, Caesarean birth, understand your changing body after birth, newborn appearance and procedures after birth.

Newborn Baby Care Classes cost $25 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere. The basics of newborn care will be discussed, starting with the appearance and characteristics of a newborn. Other topics include: bonding, understanding cues, crying, colic, safety measures, health and development, sponge bathing, and bathing. You’ll practice swaddling, dressing and diapering.

Keys to Successful Breastfeeding classes are $35 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere.

Mommy and Baby Care Group requires no registration and meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. New mothers with babies ages 2 weeks to 16 weeks can get information and support in this group. The Mommy and Baby Care Group is led by a board-certified lactation consultant to offer breastfeeding support.

There will be Sibling Preparation for Birth Class and Pizza Party which costs $10. This is a fun and effective way to teach soon-to-be siblings ages 3 and up all about babies.

To register or for more information call Robin Petrick at (201) 295-4823.

Local blood bank seeking volunteers to work drives

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives. The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed and have the willingness to follow the rules.

For additional information contact, Manager of Community Relations, R. Jan Zepka at (732) 616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.

Anti-drug group seeking commercial ideas from middle schoolers

Calling all future movie writers and producers! The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is calling on New Jersey middle school students to write, star in and produce a television commercial with a substance abuse prevention message for their peers by entering the 14th Annual Middle School Public Service Announcement Challenge (MSPSA).

Students in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade are invited to create a 30-second television Public Service Announcement (PSA) script designed to get a substance abuse prevention message out to their peers.

“The students who submit the winning script not only write the 30-second PSA, but produce, edit, and star in the spot that is often filmed at their school,” said media director Angela Conover. Each school can enter multiple teams, but each team may only submit one PSA.

Jennifer Maria Ortiz, 27, from Jersey City and William Torres, 37, from Union City, were arrested on Tuesday Feb. 26 on numerous drug charges, according to North Bergen Police Sgt. Bronson Justino.

Both were charged with possession of CDS, namely crack and heroin, possession with intent to distribute, possession within 1,000 feet of a school zone, possession within 500 feet of a park, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail has been set at $100,000 each and both were sent to Hudson County Jail in Kearny. According to Justino, Torres has been arrested 23 times and has nine felony convictions.

Police are in pursuit of two alleged suspects from a recent robbery

Jon Salcedo, 18, of North Bergen, was arrested on Monday, Feb. 28 on robbery charges, and police are searching for his two alleged accomplices.

According to Sgt. Bronson Justino from the North Bergen Police, on Monday, Feb. 21 Salcedo and two other males allegedly approached someone and put the victim in a choke hold while the other two robbed the victim.

Salcedo’s bail has been set at $100,000 with no 10 percent option. Salcedo has been charged with first degree robbery and possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose. Justino said that one of the other two males was armed with a large kitchen knife. According to Justino, the victim struggled and the man that allegedly wielded the knife began thrusting it towards the victim and stabbed a plastic soda bottle that the victim was holding.

The alleged assailants fled the scene towards Tonnelle Avenue.

Detectives canvassed the area and a local citizen recognized Salcedo which led to his arrest. Police are in pursuit of the two other men that were allegedly involved in the robbery.

The man that allegedly brandished the knife is described as a heavy set Hispanic with medium length black hair and wearing a gray Boston Red Sox jacket with dark colored sleeves. According to Justino, his name is “Brian” and he is either from Fairview or North Bergen.